242 AN EAST COAST NATURALIST 



with apparent rage upon the sand, and been struck 

 with the accuracy of its aim. Twice out of three 

 times has it hit the stick with the venomous fin- 

 rays. Our fisherfolk smelters, draw-netters, and 

 shrimpers have a wholesome respect for this small 

 rascal, who now and again succeeds in wounding the 

 fingers of the wariest; they detest him, too, and 

 smash him on sight, the draw-netters invariably 

 grinding him to death in the sand or mud with their 

 heavy heels. I have known instances of serious 

 inflammation following a Weever's stab. Fisherfolk, 

 when hurt, say that the pain only subsides with the 

 falling of the tide. 



Whether the Pike when out of water has his 

 faculties keen enough to know that his bite can hurt, 

 I cannot say ; it is sufficient for me to recall the 

 surprise as well as pain given me by a five-pound 

 Jack, that had been some hours out of the water. I 

 was handling him, and admiring his sharp teeth, 

 when he suddenly snapped and shut his jaws on my 

 finger ; and it took some minutes before I could free 

 it by means of a stick, with which, with my left hand, 

 I levered open his mouth. 



